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Department of Conservation Bureau of Parks & Lands

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handicamping person in wheelchair roasting marshmallows Guide to accessibility in Maine State Parks

Guide to Accessibility in Maine Historic Sites

Welcome to Maine's Accessible Outdoors!

Maine is a place everyone can enjoy. The Division of Parks and Public Lands welcomes all visitors to Maine's natural and cultural wonders. The Division is committed to making our state parks, historic sites and other public facilities accessible to people with disabilities and people with special needs.

Each state park or historic site in Maine is unique. Many park features are accessible to visitors with varying needs and abilities. In some parks, however, visitors may need the assistance of a member of their party to access certain features. Other parks have natural elements, such as steep trails or rocky beaches, that may be difficult for some people to use. In addition, weather and other conditions at parks and historic sites change often. The Division of Parks and Public Lands encourages visitors to contact parks and historic sites directly to discuss their individual needs and abilities with experienced staff.

Access Features

Maine's state parks and historic sites offer a number of accommodations for people with disabilities and people with special needs. Among the access features are:

  • Reserved parking spaces
  • Wheelchair ramps
  • Beach wheelchairs
  • Hardened surfaces on trails and walkways
  • Accessible restrooms
  • Roll-in showers
  • Benches in showers and changing rooms
  • TTY
  • Easy-to-reach campsites

The Division of Parks and Public Lands is continuously improving state parks and historic sites to provide better access for everyone. Contact parks and historic sites directly to find out more about the access features at specific locations.

Service animals are welcome at state parks and historic sites in Maine.

A Guide to Accessibility

The Maine Division of Parks and Public Lands provides general guidance for people with disabilities and people with special needs on the ease of access to state parks, historic sites, and other facilities.

Each park or historic site is rated for overall ease of access. Ratings are:

"""""" Good access: Most features of the area are accessible
"""" Limited access: Some features are accessible; other features may require assistance
"" No access: No features are accessible

In addition, the Division offers guidelines on the accessibility of specific features and amenities at parks and historic sites, such as parking, rest rooms, campsites, and beaches. These guidelines are designed primarily for people with mobility impairments.

The definitions for access features are:
Accessible Accessible: Meets all standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Generally Accessible Generally Accessible: Meets most ADA standards and has few barriers. Some visitors with disabilities may need some assistance.
Accessible with Assistance Accessible with Assistance: Meets some ADA standards and has some barriers. Many visitors with disabilities will require assistance.
Somewhat Accessible Somewhat Accessible: Meets few ADA standards and has significant barriers. Most visitors with disabilities will need assistance.
Not accessible

Not accessible: Meets no ADA standards and has major barriers.
Most people with disabilities, even with assistance, will be unable to access.

 

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